Linklaters commits to race action plan
Law firm Linklaters has set out a new race action plan, which aims to improve representation of Black and underrepresented minority ethnic lawyers and business team members.
“George Floyd’s death in the US sparked a global movement and exposed systemic inequalities that continue to be experienced by members of the Black community. When perspective shifts, action should follow. That action starts with listening, learning and reflection, and then moves to more concrete steps to drive change,” said the law firm.
In addition to establishing a Black diversity council to hold the firm to account for progress, Linklaters will train all of its people on anti-racism over the next 12 months and regularly afterwards. All partners and directors will also be held accountable for racial diversity in their practices and teams.
By 2025, Linklaters is hoping for 15% Black and underrepresented minority ethnic partners in partnerships across the UK and US. By 2027, the law firm wants five times as many Black partners globally as there are now.
Charlie Jacobs, senior partner and senior champion for race and ethnicity at Linklaters, said: “We must do better as a firm, industry and society to ensure greater representation of Black and minority ethnic groups at all levels of business. Reinforced by our race action plan, we will create meaningful and long-term change within our firm and are committed to ensuring that we are home to and have an inclusive culture for everyone.”
Linklaters will also establish a diversity scholarship to financially support Black and underrepresented minority ethnic law students in the US, while also doubling its funding to organisations that target career opportunities for Black professionals.
Starting from the 2020/21 recruitment cycle, the firm is targeting 35% minority ethnic trainees each year, of whom 10% will be Black in the UK. In the US, it is targeting 50% minority ethnic first years each year, of whom 10% will be Black.
Tom Shropshire, partner and global head of US practice and co-sponsor of Linklaters’ UK BAME network, said: "We are committed to being leaders for positive change, including across the global legal industry and within the communities where we live and serve. We see there is structural change needed, and we have an important role to play and must be agents for that change.”
Other elements of the race action plan include a new mentorship programme for Black employees, doubling its annual pro bono hours spent on advancing racial equality and empowerment causes and expanding its network of relationships with racial justice organisations.
In June, Linklaters joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, a coalition of more than 200 law firms “working collaboratively to dismantle structural and systemic racism”.
Earlier this month, the firm launched a client offering that combines legal advice with business guidance on diversity and inclusion (D&I) issues.
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